Juan Soto heroics help Yankees stave off Astros for wild Opening Day win - Takeaways
Juan Soto's game-saving throw saved a run in the ninth inning, capping off a furious Yankees rally in an Opening Day win over the Astros. The New York Yankees won 5-4 against the Houston Astros on Opening Day, despite trailing by four runs early in the game. In his Yankees debut, Juan Soto made a crucial play of the game to save his new team, saving the game with a key defensive play. Despite a shaky performance from the Houston team's closer Clay Holmes, the Yankees' bullpen managed to secure the win. The team's manager, Aaron Boone, acknowledged that Opening Day is a significant part of their baseball journey and that the team will have another Opening Day at Yankee Stadium next week. Key players included Rafael Montero and Jon Berti, who were traded from the Marlins for minor league outfielder John Rvedvedt and minor league player John DeBortt.
Được phát hành : 4 tuần trước qua Pete Caldera trong Sports
HOUSTON – Trailing by four runs early Thursday afternoon, the Yankees rallied to a 5-4 victory against the Houston Astros on Opening Day before 42,642 fans at Minute Maid Park.
In his Yankees debut, Juan Soto - not celebrated for his defense - made the play of the game to save his new team.
Closer Clay Holmes was shaky in the ninth, and Kyle Tucker's base hit to right field nearly tied the game - but Soto gunned down Mauricio Dubon, trying to score from second base.
The play was upheld on a replay challenge.
After Oswaldo Cabrera’s game-tying, solo homer in the sixth, Alex Verdugo’s seventh inning sacrifice fly scored Aaron Judge (double) with the go-ahead run.
“It’s also important that guys take a step back and acknowledge (that Opening Day) is a meaningful part of your baseball journey,’’ said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, before his bullpen shut down Houston over the final four innings.
“I try never to take this day lightly,’’ said Boone. “And we get to have another (opener) at Yankee Stadium next week,’’ when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on April 5.
Juan Soto made his debut in a revamped Yankees lineup that grew frustrated early against lefty starter Framber Valdez.
Three times, the Yankees grounded into inning-ending double plays – twice with the bases loaded, with Jose Trevino and Alex Verdugo at bat.
But the Yanks scored three times in the fifth, with Juan Soto’s RBI single producing the first Yankee run. With two out, Anthony Rizzo was drilled on the forearm with the bases loaded, Valdez’s final pitch.
Anthony Volpe’s bases-loaded walk followed, and the sophomore shortstop was on base four times (single, three walks).
Jonathan Loaisiga pitched two scoreless innings, stranding two runners on base each time. Loaisiga's workload will include extra rest after such multi-inning appearances, as the Yanks try to duplicate the production lost by Michael King's trade to San Diego (in the Soto deal).
Loaisiga was helped by a running catch in the left-center field gap made by new left fielder Alex Verdugo.
Ian Hamilton pitched a scoreless eighth but Holmes nearly became undone in the ninth, saved by Soto's throw to the plate.
Off to a rocky start, Nestor Cortes didn’t seem as if his first Opening Day start would last long.
Nick Burdi began warming in the bullpen during Houston’s three-run first inning, but Cortes (going on two extra days of rest) lasted five innings and exited with the Yanks trailing 4-3.
After giving up a second inning solo homer to No. 9 hitter Jake Meyers, the lefty retired 12 of the final 13 Astros he faced.
Cortes needed 33 pitches to navigate an opening inning that saw two walks and three Houston hits, including Chas McCormick’s two-out, two-run single.
Sidelined for about two months due to nerve irritation, Gerrit Cole watched from the bench instead of starting his fifth straight Yankees’ Opening Day.
Manager Aaron Boone said it “certainly (stinks) not having your ace’’ available for the season opener. But Cortes “can handle all that goes into Opening Day, and the excitement around it being a little more different than normal.’’
The newest Yankee arrived in the middle of the night.
Traveling from Miami, Jon Berti got to the team’s Houston hotel at 2 a.m., amid “a whirlwind of emotions,’’ having been traded from the Marlins in a three-team deal.
In the trade, the Yankees sent catcher Ben Rortvedt to the Tampa Bay Rays and minor league outfielder John Cruz to the Marlins.
“Super excited, obviously, to come to such a prestigious organization,’’ said the right-handed hitting Berti, who “grew up watching the Yankees all the time. Pretty surreal.’’
Due to Berti’s late arrival and the scramble to get here, manager Aaron Boone decided to start switch-hitting Cabrera at third base instead of Berti against the lefty Valdez.
Batting ninth, Cabrera contributed a huge, game-tying solo homer off Rafael Montero in the sixth.
“Just wanted to get (Berti) acclimated as best we can,’’ said Boone, who expects to use Berti as both a starter and in a super utility role, with DJ LeMahieu on the injured list.
LeMahieu, who has been conducting light activity at Tampa, Fla., is due to undergo further testing Friday on his bruised right foot.
Before the game, the Yankees officially placed LeMahieu and infielder Oswald Peraza (shoulder strain) on the 10-day IL, and placed Cole on the 60-day IL.
Right-handers Tommy Kahnle (delayed by offseason shoulder inflammation) and McKinley Moore (right knee bursitis) were placed on the 15-day IL.
All those moves were made retroactive to March 25, with the move on Cole assuring he won't return until May 25 at the earliest.
Additionally, infielder Jahmai Jones (who is out of minor league options) made the Opening Day roster, as did rookie right-hander Clayton Beeter.
Kahnle could be ready by the second week of April. Luis Gil, who will start Monday's series opener at Arizona, threw a 75-pitch simulated game Wednesday at Houston.
Chủ đề: Baseball, MLB, New York Yankees, Houston Astros